Tomorrow, you might notice people walking around with black markings on their foreheads. At first glance, you might think they’ve simply forgotten to wash up and its black dirt. If you’re not familiar with Catholic traditions, you might not realize that these black markings are actually ashes, applied during a religious observance known as Ash Wednesday.
For those who grew up in a Catholic household, Ash Wednesday holds a special significance as a Holy Day of Obligation. It marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of reflection, repentance, and preparation leading up to Easter. On this day, Catholics attend church services where the priest places ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. This ritual is a powerful reminder of our mortality and the need for repentance.
Growing up, my mother made sure that we attended mass on Ash Wednesday. Since it marked the beginning of Lent, we would have to make some sort of sacrifice and give up something we enjoyed. My mother, who was a smoker, would always give up her cigarettes during Lent. Have you ever been around anyone addicted to tobacco? I can honestly say that it was a real sacrifice for my mom to give up cigarettes. Every year during Lent she gave up smoking cigarettes. As I got older, I would often ask her why she didn’t just give up cigarettes altogether. After all, 40 days and 40 nights is a long time for someone who smokes.
In any case, there was this one year after attending church on Ash Wednesday we went to eat at a restaurant. While I was serving myself a salad at the salad bar the waitress walked up to me and told me she was Catholic and explained that she was unable to attend Mass because she had to work. I could tell that she was really broken up about it, then she asked me if I could give her some of my ashes. I quickly reached up to my forehead and ran my fingers over my ashes and then I applied the ashes from my fingertips over her forehead and I made the sign of the cross just like our Catholic Priest would do and then I said, “Bless you my child”. (As if I had any religious authority to do something like that.)
She looked at me with gratitude and a hint of relief. “Thank you so much,” she said softly, her eyes welling up with tears. It was a powerful moment, one that reminded me of the importance of compassion and the impact a small gesture can have on someone’s day. As we parted ways, I hoped that in some small way, I had helped her feel a little closer to her faith, even if I wasn’t a priest. After all, it’s the intention and sincerity behind our actions that truly matter.
This year, Ash Wednesday will be on March 5, 2025. Ash Wednesday is determined based on the date of Easter Sunday, which follows the lunar calendar. Easter is observed on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the spring equinox (March 21). From there, Ash Wednesday is counted 46 days before Easter, which includes 40 days of fasting during Lent plus six Sundays that are not part of the fast. Because of this calculation, the date of Ash Wednesday changes each year, typically falling between February 4 and March 10.
So, if you see someone with ashes across their forehead tomorrow, know that it is a sign of their faith and commitment to the solemn journey of Lent. It is a time for them to reflect on their relationship with God, seek forgiveness for their sins, and prepare their hearts for the celebration of Easter.
